Discussing trade scenarios for the Indianapolis Colts can be a fun part of the offseason. However, when doing so, don’t forget about the salary cap component of the equation.
When discussing trades, the conversation often centers around what would have to be given up to get a player. Is it draft capital? And if so, how much and how good are the picks? Is it a player you’re sending away in return for another?
Obviously, those are important pieces of the puzzle, but trades aren’t only about what the team is sending away and the player they’re getting in return–there is a salary cap element to this as well.
Let’s look at one possibly realistic example for the Colts. It was recently reported that the Bengals’ linebacker Germaine Pratt, who is “close” with new Colts’ defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, has requested a trade.
Whether the Colts are interested or not or what they might have to give up to get Pratt are unknowns. But we do know that Indianapolis would be inheriting a contract that comes with an $5.6 million cap hit in 2025, and it’s also the last year of Pratt’s current deal, which means an extension would likely have to be worked out upon the trade being complete.
So now, if you’re the Colts, you have less draft capital because you traded something away to get Pratt, and you now have less cap space both in 2025 and beyond because of the contract you had to take on. There is also now one less inexpensive rookie contract on the books for the next four seasons with less draft capital as well.
This isn’t to say the Colts shouldn’t explore this trade–for a few reasons–it does make some sense for them. But the point is that part of the decision-making process for Chris Ballard goes beyond any potential draft pick(s) being traded away.